#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.89
#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 89 | Wednesday 8th November 2023 | View in browser
Hello and a Happy Hallowe’en from the Hague - where it’s all treats, no tricks on the plentiful cycle lanes.
Hello and welcome to a wet and windy week in #BikeIsBest land, where it’s always, erm, great weather for cycling. Just don’t ride into that big puddle.
THERE’S STILL SCARY THINGS OUT THERE
Hallowe’en may be over but the wild climatic conditions and extreme weather warnings are sadly being matched by some worrying turmoil within the cycling industry. While cycling grows in patches in the UK, it remains a turbulent time overall.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
BIKE BOOM-ERANG
The Guardian has picked up on a number of stories across industry and cycling titles, as a launchpad for a look into the post-Covid bike boom, where a number of big and household cycling names are facing significant difficulties, and even shutting up shop. The link between policy, rhetoric, and cycle growth stagnation are clear, say industry voices.
MANCHESTER CYCLE ROUTE BREAKS RECORDS.
The now-famous Oxford Road cycle lane recorded its millionth user this year a month earlier than previous years, and smashed its previous one-day record. As the city, like many in the UK, grows its cycle network, more people will take to the streets on two wheels - a classic case of build it and they will come.
HEADWIND CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELLED…BECAUSE OF WIND
The eccentric annual Dutch headwind cycling championships were cancelled this year due to too much wind. As the New York Times reports, ‘Ciarán, a deadly storm, brought heavy rains and winds over 85 m.p.h. to parts of Western Europe’ - and while the windy season is deliberately chosen for this off-beat sporting event, fancy dress and all, this was just dangerous. Let’s hope the event returns next year.
SOLUTION TO SCARY OVERTAKING?
ETA, the insurance company that brought you the pop-up zebra crossing, has suggested a couple of joke gimmicks, this time to discourage close passing. Fake glowing toxic waste pot on the pannier rack? Large inflatable, multi-point star dangling off the bike? ‘No more ridiculous than having to tolerate close passes in the first place’, the company argues.
CHALLENGE OR JUST REPORT?
Some would rather submit a video of bad driving after the fact, and avoid an in-person confrontation. Others believe in saying something to the offender at the time. A debate was ignited on social media last week along these lines, which road.cc mulled over in one of its live blogs. It’s important above all to stay safe, and avoid getting too heated, for everyone’s sake - it just isn’t worth the risk.
OTHER HEADLINES
ESCOOTERS TO STAY?
However you feel about them, e-scooters are here and, as London’s walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman, puts it, they ‘can't be uninvented, so we urgently need government regulations to make them safer - including speed limits, battery standards & clarity on their legal status’. And while they are legal to buy here, they are still illegal to use. A decision is expected on their future in the King’s speech, and it can’t come too soon.
INTERESTING GRAPH(IC) OF THE WEEK:
ACTIVE ADVENTURES BADGE
Sustrans and Girlguiding Scotland have teamed up to create this new badge for Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers, to encourage walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting. Girls tend to cycle and participate in sport less than boys, so empowering them is vital. Safe routes are key but adventure planning and bike maintenance skills are crucial too. Read more here.
Micromobility. Catchall term for a range of small vehicles, such as scooters, e-cycles and cargo cycles - often for public rental, and often electrified. These are variously hailed as alternatives to cars, and congestion-busting, last-mile solutions, which they achieve with varying success. Certainly a part of a healthy transport mix.
Until next time,
Founder, #BikeIsBest
Not for you? unsubscribe from this list.